Latch tripping mechanism



Dec. 116, R952 R. E. LINVILLE LATCH TRIPPING MECHANISM 2 SHEETS- -SliEET 1 Filed July 2'7, 1950 g INVENTOR figy Z [Jim/1 lie omwf/ ATTORNEY R. E. LlNVlLLE LATCH TRIPPING MECHANISM Dec. 16, 1952 2 SHEETS-SHEET -2 Filed July 27, 1950 INVENTOR R0} B Lin Mil/e W6 fang ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 16, 1952 UNITED S'E'ATES PATENT OFFICE Sanford Investment Company,

Wilmington,

Be! a corporation of Delaware Appiication July 27, 1950, Serial No. 176,087

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in latch tripping mechanisms, particularly for mine cars and other conveying devices having drop bottom doors for the discharge of the lading therefrom.

This invention is an improvement on the latch tripping mechanism set forth in the prior application of Alfred F. Sanford II, Serial No. 161,589, filed May 12, 1950.

In the latch tripping mechanism set forth in the above-mentioned application, a tripping member was provided in the form of an arm that is substantially in the shape of a loop or hook, for engagement with the latch of the door to release the latch automatically as the car or other conveyance passes over the tripping device. The loop was mounted on support arms yieldably held in a raised position for engagement with the latch, and in one form thereof the loop was mounted slidably on the support arms, which arms were yieldably held in raised positions for engagement of the loop with the hook.

An object of this invention is to improve the construction of the tripping mechanism by simplification thereof, to reduce its cost, and also to lower the weight thereof and make it somewhat less complicated or complex.

This object is accomplished by mounting the loop or engaging member on a shaft with which the engaging member has slidable connections, with provision for yieldably urging the engaging member upwardly to a position where it will engage the latch as the conveyance passes over the tripping mechanism. Where the engaging or tripping member is in the form of a loop, the opposite sides thereof pass slidably through the shaft on which it is mounted, with springs connected therewith urging the engaging or tripping member upwardly to its engaging position. This eliminates the support arms provided in the previous construction, and the spring or springs connected with the loop hold the latter at the car height but allow it to be depressed, if and when necessary.

A further object of the invention is to provide for the depressing of the tripping device to allow a car or other conveyance to pass over the mechanism without tripping the latches thereof. This may be accomplished by connecting a lever operatively with the tripping member so the latter may be moved to an inoperative position out of a position for engagement with the latch, the lever being operated manually as desired.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view through the tripping mechanism in operative relation to a car, a portion of which is illustrated in a position before release of the latch;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the latch in released position;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the tripping mechanism; and

Fig. 4 is a cross section therethrough on the line 44 in Fig. 3.

The invention is shown as applied to a mine car, such as the i-wheel type having three drop bottom doors interconnected for release of the lading, as described more in detail in the abovementioned application, Serial No. 161,589, filed May 12, 1950. However, it will be appreciated that the subject matter of the invention may be applied to other types of cars, vehicles and drop bottom conveyors in general, wherever it may be desirable to release the doors for dropping.

Portions of the car are illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, particularly a car body formed of side and end walls I and 2, respectively, rigidly secured together and supported by the usual frame construction or sills upon track supported wheels. The car structure is not described or illustrated more in detail because it is set forth fully in the above-mentioned application, and also in the Sanford patent, No. 2,399,708, granted May 7, 1946.

The rearward door is designated generally at 3 and is supported at its rear end by one or more latches 4 pivotally mounted at 5 on the car. A single latch may be used intermediate the width of the door, or a pair of latches spaced on opposite sides of the upright longitudinal plane of the car, as preferred. Each of the latches normally is urged to door-supporting position by a spring 6 connected therewith. In the form illustrated, the latch 4 has a seat 1 formed in the forward face thereof in position to receive a trunnion 8 secured to the free edge of the rearward door 3. A notch 9 is also shown as formed in the forward face of the latch 4 below the seat I in position for engagement with a tripping member, to insure release of the latch from the door. The shape of the engaging face of the latch may be varied as desired and need not be, necessarily, in the form of a notch.

The tripping mechanism for the latch or latches 4 is adapted to be mounted in the trackway between opposite rails R at a point adjacent the bin or other place of dumping. Where the latches 4 are laterally spaced symmetrically on opposite sides of the longitudinal vertical plane through the center of the car or conveyance, a

tripping member may be provided for each of the respective latches, operating in unison or connected together for joint operation.

In the form shown, the tripping mechanism is mounted on a base plate I secured by Welding or otherwise in a suitable position in the trackway, as upon the base flanges of the rails R, as shown in Fig. 4. The track plate I0 extends lengthwise of the trackway a suitable distance and, preferably, has mounted upon the upper face thereof door-supporting ribs II that prevent the door from dropping to its extreme lowered position until the car has reached the point of dumping, over the bin.

I have shown in Figs. 3 and 4 separate tripping devices for the respective latches. Each of these tripping devices is shown as mounted upon depending brackets I2 secured to the under side of the plate I0 and extending downwardly therefrom a suitable distance. Journaled in a pair of brackets I2 for each tripping device is a pivot shaft I3 that extends in bridging relation between the brackets, as shown in Fig. 4.

I A tripping member I4 is mounted in the shaft I3 and extends upwardly therefrom in position to engage the face, such as the notch 9, of each latch 4, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. As described in the above-mentioned application, Serial No. 161,589, the engaging member I4, which is shown in the form of a loop, may be of any other desired suitable form, of which the loop is representative. In this form the loop is made of substantially U-shape, with opposite sides extending downwardly through transverse openings in the pivot shaft I3 through which the sides of the loop are freely slidable. The sides of the loop forming the tripping member I4 are provided with fixed collars I5 thereon, between which collars I5 and the pivot shaft I3 are interposed coiled springs I6 sleeved over the respective sides of the loop-shaped tripping members I4. End abutments are shown at I! in the form of nuts with sleeves threaded on the lower ends of the respective sides of the loopshaped tripping member I4.

This mounting of the tripping member I4 on a pivot shaft I3 allows it to swing forwardly or rearwardly to either of the dotted-line positions shown in Fig. 1 from the normal upright central position shown in full lines therein, or in any intermediate position. At the same time, the tripping member I4 is yieldably supported by the springs I6 in the proper position for engaging the latch 4 for releasing the latter, as well as being capable of free sliding movement lengthwise relative to the pivot shaft I3, as will be apparent from Fig. 2.

The tripping member I4 normally is held in an upright position yieldably by a coiled spring I8 connected at one end with an arm I9 attached to the pivot shaft I3 and extending from the arm I9 to a depending fixed arm 20 rigidly secured, as 'by welding, to a portion of the track plate I0. The arm I9 and spring I8 normally are in axial alignment when the tripping member I4 is in its upright position, as shown in Fig. 1. However, any movement of the tripping member away from such upright position, as toward the left in Fig. 1, will tend to deflect the arm I9 and spring, whereby the spring normally will tend to return the tripping member I 4 to its upright position by the tension thereof acting on the pivot shaft I3. The same is true if the tripping member It should be moved to the opposite position shown 4 in dotted lines in Fig. l, as by the reverse movement of the car over the tripping mechanism.

Where the latch 4 is provided with a notch 9 in its engaging face, the tripping member I4 is capable of bodily lengthwise extending movement relative to the pivot shaft I3, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to insure of positive engagement with the latch for a sufi'icient length of time to release the latter from its supporting engagement with the door. Further forward movement of the car past the position shown in Fig. 2 will cause the closed side of the loop to be deflected from its engaged relation with the latch and to follow under the contour of the car in a wiping relation. As soon as the car has moved forward sufiiciently to disengage the latch from the tripping member, the latter will be returned to the upright position shown in Fig. 1 by the action of the spring I8. When another car reaches the tripping member, the car will depress the latter to the left-hand dotted position shown in Fig. 1 as it passes over the tripping mechanism for freedom of movement of the car relative thereto. The tripping member will wipe along the bottom surface of the car following the contour thereof until it reaches the position for engagement with the latch, as shown in Fig. 1, when the latch will be released and the lading discharged.

The foregoing operation is described more in detail in the above-mentioned application, Serial No. 161,589, filed May 12, 1950.

If it be desired to lower the tripping member from its upright engaging position without engagement with the latch, this may be accomplished by means here provided. I have shown a second arm, designated at 2I, connected with each pivot shaft I3 and extending downwardly therefrom substantially at right angles to the arm I9 in the form illustrated. The free end of the arm 2| is connected by a flexible device 22, such as a cable, chain, 01 the like, with the free end of an arm 23 mounted on a supporting shaft 24. As shown in Fig. 3, the cables 22 of both tripping devices are connected to a common arm 23 for joint operation thereof. The shaft 24 is journaled in suitable supports on the track plate II], such as in the fixed arms 28. A hand lever 25 is mounted on the shaft 24 at a point laterally outside of the trackway in position for normal operation to move the tripping members I4 to their lower inoperative positions. This will perhalt a car to pass over the tripping mechanism without release of the latches and without dumping, which is often desired according to the installation of the tripping mechanism.

The structure herein set forth eliminates the support arms yieldably mounted, according to the prior application referred to, Serial No. 161,589, filed May 12, 1950, and thereby simplifiesthe construction to a substantial extent, reducing the weight and providing for manufacture at a lower cost. At the same time, it makes possible the manual movement of the trip ing device to an inoperative position when desired.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in one embodiment, it is recognized that other variations and changes may be made therein without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

I claim:

Latch pp g mechanism adapted to be mounted in a trackway for releasing latch means of a drop bottom door on a conveyance, said tripping mechanism comprising a support, a

pivot shaft journaled on the support, an upright tripping member carried by the pivot shaft for swinging movement thereon and for bodily movement lengthwise relative to the pivot shaft, and yieldable means urging the tripping member upwardly relative to the pivot shaft.

2. Latch tripping mechanism adapted to be mounted in a trackway for releasing latch means of a drop bottom door on a conveyance, said tripping mechanism comprising a support, a pivot shaft journaled on the support for turning movement relative thereto, an upright tripping member mounted upon the pivot shaft for lengthwise movement relative thereto and adapted to be disposed in an upright position for engagement with the latch means, and yieldable means supporting the tripping member on the pivot shaft.

3. Latch tripping mechanism adapted to be mounted in a trackway for releasing latch means of a drop bottom door on a conveyance, said tripping mechanism comprising a support, a pivot shaft journaled on the support for turning movement relative thereto, a tripping member having an arm slidably mounted through the pivot shaft and extending upwardly therefrom in position for engaging the latch means, and a coiled spring sleeved over the shaft and supporting the member relative to the shaft in a tripping position with respect to the latch means.

4. Latch tripping mechanism adapted to be mounted in a trackway for releasing latch means of a drop bottom door on a conveyance, said tripping mechanism comprising a support, a pivot shaft journaled on the support for turning move- 1 ment relative thereto, a tripping member including a substantially U-shaped loop having opposite sides thereof slidably mounted through the pivot shaft for freedom of sliding movement with respect thereto, collars fixed on the sides of the U-shaped loop, and coiled springs sleeved over the sides of the U-shaped loop and interposed between the pivot shaft and the collars normally supporting the tripping member in a position for engaging the latch means.

5. Latch tripping mechanism adapted to be mounted in a trackway for releasing latch means of a drop bottom door on a conveyance, said tripping mechanism comprising a support, a pivot shaft journaled on the support for turning movement relative thereto, a tripping member including a substantial-1y U-shaped loop having opposite sides thereof slidably mounted through the pivot shaft for freedom of sliding movement with respect thereto, collars fixed on the sides of the U-shaped loop, coiled springs sleeved over the sides of the U-shaped loop and interposed between the pivot shaft and the collars normally supporting the tripping member in a position for engaging the latch means, and means operatively connected with the pivot shaft normally tending to turn the shaft to hold the tripping member in an upright position.

6. Latch tripping mechanism adapted to be mounted in a trackway for releasing latch means of a drop bottom door on a conveyance, said tripping mechanism comprising a support, a pivot shaft journaled on the support for turning movement relative thereto, a tripping member including a substantially U-shaped loop having opposite sides thereof slidably mounted through the pivot shaft for freedom of sliding movement with respect thereto, collars fixed on the sides of the U-shaped loop, coiled springs sleeved over the sides of the U-shaped loop and interposed between the pivot shaft and the collars normally supporting the tripping member in a position for engaging the latch means, said pivot shaft having an arm extending therefrom and fixed thereto, and a coiled spring connected with said arm normally tending to hold the tripping member in an upright position.

7. Latch tripping mechanism adapted to be mounted in a trackway for releasing latch means of a drop bottom door on a conveyance, said tripping mechanism comprising a track plate adapted to be mounted in the trackway, brackets fixed to the plate and depending therefrom in spaced relation, a pivot shaft journaled in the brackets, a tripping member comprising a substantially U-sha-ped loop having opposite sides slidably mounted through the pivot shaft with abutments on the free ends of said opposite sides to limit the extending movement of the tripping member in one direction relative to the pivot shaft, collars fixed on the sides of the loop at the opposite side of the pivot shaft from the abutments, coiled springs sleeved over the sides of the loop and interposed between the collars and the pivot shaft, and means connected with the pivot shaft and yieldably holding the tripping member in an upright position thereon.

8. Latch tripping mechanism adapted to be mounted in a trackway for releasing latch means of a drop bottom door on a conveyance, said tripping mechanism comprising a track plate adapted to be mounted in the trackway, brackets fixed to the plate and depending therefrom in spaced relation, a pivot shaft journaled in the brackets, a tripping member comprising a substantially U-shaped loop having opposite sides slidably mounted through the pivot shaft with abutments on the free ends of said opposite sides to limit the extending movement of the tripping member in one direction relative to the pivot shaft, collars fixed on the sides of the loop at the opposite side of the pivot shaft from the abutments, coiled springs sleeved over the sides of the loop and interposed between the collars and the pivot shaft, means connected with the pivot shaft and yieldably holding the tripping member in an upright position thereon, and manually actuated means operatively connected with the pivot shaft for moving the tripping member to a lowered position out of a position for engagement with the latch means.

ROY E. LINVILLE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,195,975 Carmichael Aug. 29, 1916 2,225,463 Rose Dec. 17, 1940 2,399,708 Sanford May 7, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 111,897 Switzerland Dec. 11, 1924 

